Bearing



A.. KINGSBURY.

BEARING.`

APPLICATIQN FILED 1AN.15,1918.

1,412,353. Patentedlxpr. 11, 19224` apo/mers UNITED STATESl- PATENTL oFFplcE.

ALBERT KINGSBURY, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, I

p BEARING.

To all whom @it may/concern Be. it known that I, ALBERT KINGSBURY, a citlzen of the United States of America,

and a `resident of Pittsburgh, county of I Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bearings, ofwhich the following is a specification` reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. I

My invention' relates to bearings, and has special reference to thrust bearings' and combined guide and thrust bearings which are particularly adapted for use with marine propeller shafts or other substantially horizontal shafts. I i

One object of my invention is to provide a particularly simple thrust bearing forA ,horizontal or inclined shafts that is constructed and arranged to avoid leakage of the oil around the shaft while insuring adequate and automatic lubrication of 4thebearing surfaces. f

Another object of my invention. isfto prov1de a thrust bearing so construct-ed and arranged that the bearing members are readily accessible for adjustment, inspection, re-

i Amoval and replacement.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a single shoe thrust bearing having anl improved shoe structure and means lfor supporting the same.

In order thatv my invention may be thoroughly'understood I will n ow proceed to describe the same in the following specification by reference in one embodiment therer of, and will then point out the lnovel fernv tures t-hereofin appended claims The ininvention, reference being had to the specification f Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 11, 1922. Application-fled January 15, 1918. t Serial No. 211,905. f

` Figures 3 and 4 are detail views'lof one of the thrust shoes.

In the drawings: 10 designates a substan- A tially horizontal shaft having a thrust collar 11, and 12 designates a bearing housing having an oil well 13 formed in the base and a pair of guide bearings 14 at the respective 'sides of vthe thrust collar 11.

of thevhousing andV apair of thrust bearing shoes or ring sectors 16 are tiltably mounted on the thrust surfaces 15 and provided with l bearing surfaces 17 which cooperate with the thrust bearing surfaces of the collar 11.

The thrust bearing shoes 16 are positioned on opposite sides of the thrust collar, their points of engagement with the thrust surface 15 being preferably in axial alignment. They are held against rotation about the center of the shaft as an axis in any suit-able way, as lbymeans of projections 18 on the housing, between which they fit loosely.

In the form illustrated, each shoe has a recess 19 formed in its back, into which a preferably hardened block 20' is set. blockilias a spherically curved projection 21 which forms a ball pivot for the shoe and engages the thrust surface 15 of the housing. The block 2O is shown as bolted to the The l body of the shoe and the bearing surface of i the shoe may be conveniently adjusted relatively to t-he ball pivotvby introducing shims 22 in the recess 194 u-ndery the block.

The housing is shown as provided with a short sleeve or annulus 24 into which the thrust collar 11 tits loosely, the arrangement being such that there is only a narrow annular oil space between the collar and the sleeve except that at any suitable place above, the level of the oil in the well and shown as atthe top of the housing the sleeve is cut away and the housing enlarged to form a pocket 25 as clearly shown in Figure` 2.

The bearing shoes are mounted in any suitable way in or adjacent to said 'pocket so as to be readily accessible for inspection, removal and replacement through said pocket. y In the structure illustrated each maintained suficiently below the bottom ofy shoe is supported by a pair of outwardly projecting lugs 32 which extend into the sides of the pocket 25 and rest on ledges 33 -of the housing.

The sleeve 24 preferably has an openlng.

26 at the bottom below the oil level 27 in the reservoir 13. The oil level may be indicated by a gage such as 28 and is-preferably the shaft so that there is no danger of its leaking out around the shaft at the ends of the housing.

The housing isv also preferably divided,

for examplel along a substantially central horizontal pla-ne, so that theupper part may be lifted off if desired.

'In the form shown, the pocket 25 is closed by a removable cover plate 30,.the arrangement being such that said cover plate c0- acts with the lugs 32 on the shoes t-o retain the latter` in position, but when the cover plate is 'off the bearing shoes 16 may be readily lifted out for inspection and repalr.

I prefer to provide a 4cooling coil'31 in` the bottom of the housing where it is immersed in and serves to prevent substantial heating of the oil when water or other cooling Huid is circulated through it.

In operation, the thrust collar 11 dips into the oil in the well 13, picking up and. carrying the oil on its faces as the collar rotates. Whilecentrifugal force tends to throw this oil towardv the periphery Vof the collar, gravity overcomesthis tendency to a greater or less extent in that portion of the collar that is uppermost', whereb'y lthe bearing faces of the collar'are at all times sufficiently suppliedwith oil when coacting with the bearing shoes 16.

The oil therefore becomes automatically wedged under the bearing shoes 16, the pivotal mounting of the shoes permitting the same to tilt both radially and circumferentially in accordance with the principle disclosed in my prior patents.

The cover 30v which closes at the top the notches into which, the shoe .projections or lugs 32 extend cooperates with said lugs in holding the shoes in position but does not linterfere with the proper tilting 'of the shoes. On thevother hand, said covermay be readily removed without dismantling any of the parts of the bearing structure, and

said shoes may then be easily inspected, ad-

justed, removed or replaced through the opening thus provided in the housing wall.

As there vare only a. pair of bearing shoes, one for each direction of thrust, saidV shoes readily adjust themselves to the bearing surfaces of the thrust collarA even if the shaft is not in perfect alignment or the thrust surfaces of the collar become more or less. ir-

regular or distorted for any cause, such as the heating' of the collar in operation.

Furthermore, since there is only a single shoe cooperating wit-h each thrust face of the collar 11, the bearing is completely selfoiling, oil being always carried directly to the shoe for either direction of shaft .rotation, by the thrust surface with which it c0- operates. In other words, Athere are n0` other bearing members cooperating with the same surface in sucha way as to scrape off the oil in advance. f

Moreover, ,there is a marked advantage in placing the bearing shoe above instead of below the shaft because, with the latter arrangement, the centrifugal. action of the-rotatable thrust surface tends to throw the oil radially outward and remove the oil from the inner Iportion of the bearing surface which coacts with the corresponding portion of the shoe. .When the shoe is above they shaft however, the action of gravity causes the oil to run radially, inward down' the edges of the relatively-stationary shoe and in this way the oil is well distributed. On

the other hand, if the' shoe is placed below the shaft-and even if it isl immersed in oilgravity and centrifugal force both act in such manner as to carry the oil away from xthat part of t-he shoe which is close to the On the other hand, the location of .the shoe A below the level of the shaft to insure against leakage, 'when the bearing is' in operation while, at the same time, the bearing shoe or shoes may be positioned closelyv to the shaft andthe moment of the thrust pressure about the axis ofthe' shaft kept at a minimum. Moreover, no equalizing members are necessary for this bearing, the bearing'members' are readily accessible for inspection and repair without removing the shaft or even dismantling the bearing housing, and the bearing members are self-oiling and self-align ing.

A structure, of a preferred form and construction, has beenillustrated and described for the purpose of showinga way in which this invention may be used, but the invention is not to4 be restricted to the form shown, as the same is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some of vtures .are capable of use Without other fea-` which will kreadily suggest'thernselves to those skilled in the art, While certain featuresthereof. Reference is therefore to be had tothe appended Claims fora denition ofthe limits of the invention.

What I claim is:

A-1. A thrust bearing comprising'an oil' container, a rotatable member having a thrustsurface extending intoI the container and dipping into'the oil therein, and a single bearing shoe cooperating with the thrust surface above the' oil level and lubricated by oil carried thereto von said rotatable member...y

2. A thrust bearing comprising an oil container, afrotatable member having a thrust surface 'extending into the container' and dipping into the oil therein, and av'single bearingshoe tiltably mou-nted above the oil level and cooperating With the thrust sur-V face.

3. Arthruvst .bearing comprising` an oil container, ya substantially horizontal shaft having athrust collar arranged to dip into the oilin said container, and a single tiltably-mounted bearing shoe cooperating with the thrust collar above the level of the oiland. lubricated by oil carried thereto on said thrust collar.

' 4. A thrust bearing comprising a housing formed to provide an oil reservoir, a subi stantially horizontal shaft, a thrust collar thereon having a radial thrust surface vdipping into the oil' in the'reservoir, and a single bearing shoe having radial edges inclined downwardly toward the center of the shaft and cooperating with the thrustsurface of the collar above the level of thel oil in said reservoir.

5. A thrust bearing comprising a housing formed to provide an oil reservoir, a. substantially horizontal shaft,-a thrust collar thereon dipping into the oil in the reservoir collar'.

below the shaft, and a single bearing shoe tiltably suspended above the shaft and cooperating Wit-h the thrust surface of the 6. A thrust bearing comprising a housing having a substantially radial surface, a substantially horizontal shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a thrust collar extending adj acent'to said radial surface, and a single bearing shoe tiltably suspended between said surface and collar and having a bearing lsurface adapted to cooperate with the thrust surface of said collar.

7. A thrust bearing comprising a shoel having a pivotal mounting' to receive the bearingI pressure and means for suspending the shoe Without interfering with its tilting on its pivot. Y 3

8. A thrust bearingv comprising a shoe having a pivotal mounting to receive the bearing pressure and suspension lugs at its upper corners for supporting the shoe Without interfering With its* tilting on its pivot.

9 A thrust bea-ring shoe having the form..

suspension'lugs at the outer corners ofthe sector. i

10. A tiltable .bearing shoe having a bear-` ing surface on one sidegand-a recess on'th'e opposite side, and lan adjustable pivot block mounted in the recess and removably but rigidly attached to the shoe.

v 11. A tiltable bearing shoe having a thrust surface on'one side anda recess on the opposite side, and a pivot block removably but rigidly mounted in the recess and provided with a `'pivot projection.

,12. A tiltable bearing shoe having a'thrust surface on one side and a recess on the op posite side, vand aV pivot`block adjustably but rigidly mounted in thenrecess' and having a spherical lug Vextending outwardly 'from the shoe.

13. A thrust` bearing f'zomprisin'gl a 4substantially horizontal shaft having a. thrust surface, a housing surrounding fthe vshaft adj aoentto the thrust surface 'andhaving .of a ring sectorwith outwardly extending an opening above the ,shaftat' the thrust i surface,` and one or more thrust bearing shoes' mounted 1n the housing `1n cooper- 4ative relation With the thrust surface and removable throughthe opening in the hous` Y ing.

14. A thrust lbearing comprisingva sub-V stantially horizontal shafthaving at thrust collar, 'aa housing surrounding lthe thrust collar'and having an opening above. the thrust collar, and a bearing shoe cooperating with the thrust collar, said shoe being suspended from the housing and removable voutwardly through the opening in the top.

15. A thrust bearing comprising a substantially horizontal shaft having a thrust collar, a housing surrounding the thrust eollar and having an opening above the thrust collar, a bearing shoecooperating with the thrust collar, said shoe being suepended from the housing and removable ,outwardly through the opening in the' top, and a cover plate for the opening cooperating with the l housing to hold the shoe in position.

16. A thrust bearing comprising a substantially'horizontal shaft having a thrust col- VVlar, a housing surrounding the thrust collar lar and having nan opening above the thrust collar, a bearing shoe cooperating with the thrust collar, said shoe being tiltably mounted on'the housing and loosely suspended in the opening of the 'housing whereby it is removable outwardly, and a -cover plate for the housing c ooperating therewith to hold.

the shoe in position without interfering with the tilting thereof. j

- 18. A thrust bearing comprising a housv ing having a substantially radial surface opening above said surface and a removable.

cover plate, a substantially horizontal shaft rotatable in the housing and having a thrust collar extending adjacent to said'radial surface, a bearing shoe cooperating with the' thrust collar and having a pivotal mounting on the housing, and suspension lugs on the bearing shoe engaging the housing at the opening, said cover plate cooperating with the housing to loosely hold the shoe in position.

.20. A thrust bearing comprising a substantially horizontal shaft having a thrust collar, and a bearing shoe tiltably s'u'spended in cooperative Arelation .Withvthe upper portion ofsaid thrust collar.

21. A thrust bearing 'comprlsing a housing,-

a substantially horizontal shaft having av thrust collarrotatably mounted in said housing. and a bearing'shoe suspended in cooperative relation with the upper portion of said thrust collar and tiltably mounted on said housing.

22. In combination with a substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising an oil reservoir below the level of said shaft, a thrust collar on the shaft dipping into the oil in said reservoir, and 'a singlebearingshoe cooperating with said thrust collar above the level of the shaft and lubricated by oil carried thereto by said collar. j

23. In combinationv with a substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising a housing for the'shaft providing an oil reservoir below the level of said shaft, a thrust collar on said shaft dipping into the oil in said reservoir, and a slngle bearing shoe tiltably mounted on` saidhousing and cooperating with said thrust collar above the level of the shaft. f

24. In combination with a substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising an' oilreservoir below the shaft, a thrust collaron theV shaft dipping into the oil in said reservoir, and a-single bearing shoe cooperating with said thrust collar above the level of the oil and having its bearing surface'lubricated only by oil car; rid thereto by saidv collar.- 25. In combination With asubstantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor .comprising a thrust collar on said shaft, a housing having an opening in Vits upper portion adjacent said collar, and a bearing shoe cooperating with said thrust collar, said shoe being. positionedl within said housing adjacent Said opening.

26. In combination with a substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor I comprising a. thrust collar on said shaft, a housing havingan opening-in its upper por-l ,`"\n adjacent said collar, and a bearing shoe ci aerating with said thrust collar and readily removable through said opening. I

27 ,In combination wlth.- av substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor 85 comprising a thrust collar on said shaft, -a housing having an opening inits upper portion adjacent said collar, and a bearing shoe suspended within said opening and Ycooperating with said thrust collar. Y

' 28. In combination with a. substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising a thrust colla-1' on said shaft, a' houslng'having an opening 'in its upper portion adjacent said collar, and a bearing 95 shoe tiltably. mounted within said housing adjacent said opening and in cooperative relationship with said thrust collar.

29. In combination with a .substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising a thrust collalr onsaid shaft, a 1 housing'having an opening in its upper' portion adjacent said collar, a bearing shoe mounted within said housing adjacent said opening and -in cooperative relation with said thrust collar, and a cover lar said open- -ing cooperating with said housing to retain said shoe in position.-

30. In combination with a substantially horizontal shaft, a thrust bearing therefor comprising a thrust collar onsaid shaft, a housing having an opening in its upper portion adjacent said collar, and a bea-ring shoe cooperating with said thrust "collar, saidA shoe being suspended within said opening 115 and tiltably mounted `on said housing.-

I 31. A thrust bearing comprisingl a hous Y ing havin a substantially radial surface,

a substantially horizontal shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a thrust 120 collar extending adjacent to said radial surface, and --a single bearing shoe suspended between said surface and collar andcooperating withthe thrust surface of said collar.

. 32. A thrust bearing comprising a housmounted on said radial surface above `said` shaft and cooperating with the thrust sur-` said collar above the level of the oil, and one or more bearing shoes cooperating with l0 said thrust collar and removable through l said opening;

,In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this llday of January, 1918.

'ALBERT KrNGfSBuRY.` y y 

